ππ» STIMIES,
I love the internet sometimes.
You can find the most random (yet fun) things to use!
Today's feature is thanks to YouTube educator extraordinaire, Hank Green, who recently released an ADHD-friendly promodoro timer called "Focus Friend".
What is Focus Friend?
It's a FREE app to download to help you stay focused & not use your phone for non-productive activities.
Just log on (no account required), state the length of time you want to focus, then start working.
The longer you stay focused, the more socks your bean friend makes.
The socks can be traded in for items to decorate your 'home.
Fail to stay focused / succumb to your doomscroll, and you won't get your socks. βΉοΈ
It's simple, cute and 10000% viral (see this Reddit thread).
Apparently, it's the No. 1 most popular app in the US right now (ahead of ChatGPT, TikTok, Google)?!
How did it start?
Focus Friend began as a βpassion projectβ between Green and developer Bria Sullivan (who designed an app that lets players design their own boba drinks).
They discussed creating an app that would help people reduce their time 'doomscrolling' (a problem that Bria herself was facing).
Quick Thoughts
a) You can have fun
Hank is one of the internet's most beloved science teachers or in his own words, "I'm a science YouTuber with a side of whatever-I-want-to-do-today".
A productivity bean is not something you'd expect from Hank.
In fact, you might even say that he's done the 'wrong thing' by releasing something that has nothing to do with his actual science-focused 'brand'!
But is it really all that wrong?
If there's one thing Hank is known for, it's his unquenchable curiosity and drive to just get things done.
When you couple that with a hefty dollop of good luck/timing and decades' worth of consistency, you can strike gold.
Or in this case, knit more socks and hit No 1 in the app store!
b) Community makes anything possible
Hank's brother, John, posted a hilarious 4 minute vlog in response to his brother's app.
These 2 brothers have built an insanely engaged community by showing up online for nearly two decades. A community that has been the driver behind much of their success.
With Focus Friend, initial traction came from the soft launch via their newsletter subscribers.
As a commentator I found on Hank's video once said: "this is why reputation means everything. This man could tell me anything and I would implicitly trust him. He has made a reputation of a truth sayer.β
"
c) The beauty of building in public
Have you read the comments in John's vlog?
It has so many comments on what people want from Focus Friend - a dream for any app / product developer. Some comments that caught my eye:
- When my Bean son finishes an item, I NEED to be able to tell him "good job!" Allow me to praise my child please.
- as someone who knits, my number one ask is for one of the decorations to be a comfy chair for beanie to sit in while they knit, i feel bad that they're standing the whole time!
- A few recommendations: I love the app. Iβve used it a bunch. A few recommendations. 1) a few cheaper things (less socks) right off the hop so that I want to use it even more right away. 2) as John alluded toβa second (or third, fourth, etcβ¦) level or more rooms isometrically to decorate. 3) knitting with friends. I want my bean to knit with my friendβs beans. Maybe if a friend group is together and they use the app instead of ignoring each other, their beans work together to make a quilt. 4) when my bean is alone and working away, feel free to have a small banner ad so that money can go to TB or something. Iβm not on my phone.
That's market feedback right there without lifting a finger!
Alright, that's all from me this week.
See you in the next STIMY edition!
β
P/S: This newsletter was written under duress from my little Bean.
P/PS: I've launched a Substack which is basically the same as this email you're getting because:
- I'd like to try out a platform I've heard rave reviews about for years; and
- The pricing for my current newsletter provider doesn't make sense. I might shift over to Substack permanently soon :)
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